The Anabasis

"The March Up Country," translated by Rouse.

A surprisingly short book, of seven chapters ("books") and about 200 pages, and a surprisingly easy read. Xenophon wrote the book in the third person, of his joining a friend to meet Cyrus, the Persian prince, who was in Asia Minor. He is then convinced to join Cyrus and the friend on an expedition to combat an enemy there in Asia Minor, but Cyrus has lied and it is really an expedition to overthrown the Persian king, Cyrus' brother, Artaxerxes.

We meet all sorts of peoples along the way. It is very interesting and a bit shocking to hear the Greeks speak of "the natives" of Asia Minor in the same way that the colonial Spaniards spoke of the natives of America, or the Brits of the natives in India and Africa. Xenophon becomes an important commander of the expedition, though he is not a soldier at the beginning of the tale - just a well-off Greek looking for adventure.

It is very eye-opening and gives clear view of the culture of that long ago time in the dawn of empires, one that should be required reading in high school given its amazing historical value and easy readability. Why read "secondary" materials when you can read this! ( )

Anabasis (also rendered as The March of the Ten Thousand or The Persian Expedition) is a firsthand account of the Greeks' participation in Cyrus the Younger's revolt against his brother King Artaxerxes II, and their perilous return journey to the Black Sea after Cyrus' death in the Battle of Cunaxa.

Xenophon highlights the myriads of challenges a general faces in leading an army and carrying out a successful campaign. In addition to providing for a large army, commanding their respect and obedience despite his own shortcomings, and motivating them for a common purpose, he has to contend against nature, such as inclement weather and unfamiliar terrain; against his enemies, their guerrilla and attrition warfare; against his own comrades, who attempt to usurp leadership for their own gain to the detriment of the army.

As Xenophon has stated elsewhere, a statesman faces the same type of challenges in governing a nation. Ironically, just as a statesman would be maligned by the fickle public especially during national crisis, Xenophon was persecuted by his soldiers twice, almost to the point of death, after being praised by them for his selfless service and leadership.

Ultimately, I think of Anabasis as an analogy of the journey of life, and the triumphant joy with which the Greeks cry out, "The Sea, The Sea!" awaits us all.

(Read full review at booksontrial.wordpress.com) ( )

Edition: // Descr: 309 p. 18 cm. // Series: The Penguin Classics Call No. { 888 X2 1 } Series Edited by E.V. Rieu Translated by Rex Warner Contains Glossary of Names. // //

Edition: // Descr: viii, 95 p. : ill., map (1) 16 cm. // Series: Bell's Illustrated Classical Series Call No. { 888 X2 3 } Series Edited by E.C. Marchant Edited by E.C. Marchant Contains Notes, Exercises, Index of Proper Names, and Vocabulary. // //

Edition: // Descr: xi, 105 p. : ill., map (1) 15.5 cm. // Series: Elementary Classics Call No. { 888 X2 8 } Edited for the Use of Schools with Introduction, Notes, and Vocabulary by Rev. E.D. Stone. // //